Secure device for delivering medications

Abstract

A method and device for delivering medications that includes a syringe body, a cartridge nest with an application tip, a plunger actuator, and an electronic lock subassembly adapted for preventing administration of the medication until specific conditions are met. The medicine cartridge may comprise a form of a digital security key to prevent the device from administering medication unless specific configurations and conditions are met. The device may further be adapted with pre-programmed information and may be used with a smartphone, tablet, or computer application. The electronic lock subassembly will only permit the administration of medicine when the patient and/or administrator is verified via facial and voice recognition, biometric identifier, or other unique information. Upon proper permission, the device may be used to administer medicine, including injecting medicine into the nasal cavity of a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A secure device for delivering a medication, the device comprising:
 a syringe body; 
 a plunger actuator; and 
 an electronic lock subassembly including a first extendable and retractable locking portion and a second extendable and retractable locking portion, wherein the first extendable and retractable locking portion is disposed adjacent to a first side of the plunger actuator and the second extendable and retractable locking portion is disposed adjacent to a second side of the plunger actuator, wherein the first extendable and retractable locking portion and the second extendable and retractable locking portion extend and retract in the same direction relative to one another, and wherein when extended, the first extendable and retractable locking portion and the second extendable and retractable locking portion prevent a finger engagement surface of the plunger actuator from moving axially relative to the syringe body thereby preventing administration of the medication until specific conditions are met. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is suitable for delivering intranasal medications and further comprises a flexible application injector and a nose guard. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a cartridge nest and a medicine cartridge with integrated electronics, wherein the cartridge nest is adapted for receiving the medicine cartridge. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the medicine cartridge may further comprise at least one of an RFID chip, customizable information data, and a digital security key stored therein. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the medicine cartridge may further comprise a specific pre-loaded amount of medication. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the medicine cartridge may be used for a single administration of medication. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the medicine cartridge is programmed with a unique serial and hash data identifier to enable the medicine cartridge to be registered as a digital asset on a Blockchain network. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the syringe body and medicine cartridge each include a channel defined therethrough, wherein the channels have matching patterns. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the plunger actuator includes a cross-section having a pattern that matches the patterns of the syringe body channel and the medicine cartridge channel. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the medicine cartridge is pre-programmed with patient and usage information. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device selectively notifies a patient and/or administrator when a dosage is required. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic lock subassembly is adapted to only permit administration of medication when an appropriate medication dosage is loaded in the device. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is adapted to only permit administration of medication when an appropriate scheduled dosage time period is active. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic lock subassembly further comprises an interface with a user and/or administrator provided smartphone, tablet, or computer device. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic lock subassembly is adapted to be pre-programmed by a user and/or administrator via a smartphone, tablet, or computer application. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic lock subassembly further comprises a uniquely customizable user profile for storing at least one of a user's facial picture and voice recording. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the electronic lock subassembly only permits administration of medication when a patient and/or administrator is verified via at least one of facial and voice recognition. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first extendable and retractable locking portion and the second extendable and retractable locking portion are parallel with one another. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 18  further comprising:
 the syringe body including a passage defined therethrough, the passage having a cross-sectional shape having a pattern; wherein a pattern of a cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator matches the pattern of the cross-sectional shape of the syringe body passage.